Despite testimony in federal court that several officers of the Guam Police Department were involved to some degree in a human trafficking ring that resulted in a woman being sentenced to life in federal prison, only one officer was investigated.

This failure needs to be redressed, and quickly.

During a federal trial for Song Ja Cha -- the owner of Blue House lounge, who was convicted of forcing at least nine women into prostitution -- at least two witnesses testified that police officers frequented the lounge. Prosecutors said Cha controlled the women by threatening them with arrest by police officers if they disobeyed her.

One witness provided the first name of two officers and described a third. Another police officer -- David Manila -- admitted to having sex with a Blue House employee at the lounge.

The Guam Police Department only investigated Manila, who was disciplined, but allowed to keep his job despite an internal investigation that determined he abetted prostitution. Police said it would have taken action if investigators had found any other officers were involved with illegal activities at Blue House.

Was the testimony in federal court not enough?

There needs to be a thorough investigation of police officers in relation to the Blue House human trafficking case -- and if the Guam Police Department won't do it, another agency must step in.

If police officers are cleared, then there's no problem and the public can be assured. But if there are officers found to be involved in the case, then they must be held fully accountable for their actions -- up to criminal prosecution, if warranted.

On Friday, police spokesman Officer A.J. Balajadia issued a statement, saying the public shouldn't interpret the lack of police comment as a sign the department is hiding something. How else should the public interpret the silence?

The police department must immediately launch a thorough investigation, or release to the public the process and findings of its previous investigation; or cooperate with whichever agency is put in charge of the investigation.